I'd like to propose the following enhancement to HPFOPEN (join the bandwagon
earlier, while there are still good seats!):

I'd like to have a system variable, something like MPEDEFAULTNAMESPACE, which
can be set to one of 4 values:

":SETVAR MPEDEFAULTNAMESPACE 0" means "MPE ONLY", and is the default.
   Filenames not preceeded by "." or "/" will be upshifted, and checked to
make sure they match MPE naming rules (<=8 characters, letters and digits
only, starting with a letter only).
   Filenames preceeded with a "." or "/" will not be modified.
   This is the current behaviour.

":SETVAR MPEDEFAULTNAMESPACE 1" means "MPE FIRST".
   For old files, the above rule is applied and the file is searched for.  If
it isn't found, the file is searched for with the filename as originally
entered.
   For new files, if the filename matches the MPE rules, it will be
upshifted; if not, it will be created as an HFS file.

":SETVAR MPEDEFAULTNAMESPACE 2" means "HFS FIRST".
   For old files, try opening the file with the filename as specified; if
that fails, and the file matches the MPE rules, upshift the name and try
again.
   For new files, create the file with the filename specified.

":SETVAR MPEDEFAULTNAMESPACE 3" means "HFS ONLY"
   Open the file with the name specified; do not upshift the name.

The status of the MPEDEFAULTNAMESPACE variable should be checked at HPFOPEN
time, and retained until FCLOSE (don't re-check at FCLOSE).

This shouldn't break any existing code, and even if the system manager sets
the variable to a value other than 0 in an OPTION LOGON UDC, I doubt if very
many (if any) applications or utillities would have much trouble with it.

Express your support now; write this in on an enhancement ballot; tell all
your friends and neighbors!


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Michael D. Hensley       | mailto:[log in to unmask]
Allegro Consultants Inc. | Visit scenic http://www.allegro.com
408/252-2330             | "Support Bill of Rights Enforcement"